Amid an ongoing showdown between the BJP and the Congress over disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha, Germany today responded to the issue and said, “fundamental democratic principles” should apply in the case of the Wayanad MP.
“We have taken note of the verdict of first instance against Indian opposition politician Rahul Gandhi as well as the suspension of his parliamentary mandate. To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict,” Germany’s foreign ministry spokesperson said while addressing a press briefing.
NEW: Rahul Gandhi caseGerman Foreign Ministry spokesperson comments for first time:– Takes note of verdict, suspension from parliament– Appeal will show whether verdict stands & suspension has basis– Expects standards of judicial independence & democratic principles to apply pic.twitter.com/dNZB6vflG2
— Richard Walker (@rbsw) March 29, 2023
“We expect that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will equally apply to the proceedings against Rahul Gandhi,” the spokesperson said in her remarks, which were telecasted on public broadcaster Deutsche Well or DW.
While speaking in German, the spokesperson also said, “It will then become clear whether this verdict will stand and whether the suspension of his mandate has any basis.”
Senior adviser to Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Kanchan Gupta responded to Germany’s statement and said, “Germany never took note of 12 previous disqualifications under same law and rule, including when Congress was in power. Is Rahul Gandhi special?
“Irrespective of higher court’s view, his disqualification is valid under law.
Disqualification law is based on democratic principles,” Gupta added.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted and said, “India will not tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore.”
Thank you Rahul Gandhi for inviting foreign powers for interference into India’s internal matters. Remember, Indian Judiciary can’t be influenced by foreign interference. India won’t tolerate ‘foreign influence’ anymore because our Prime Minister is:- Shri @narendramodi Ji ???????? pic.twitter.com/xHzGRzOYTz— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 30, 2023
The remarks came just hours after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said no foreign diplomat has raised with him the issue of Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha, which was an outcome of a law “supported” by the Congress leader in the past.
Speaking at the News18 Rising India Summit, Jaishankar said Gandhi’s disqualification as a member of the Lok Sabha happened as he refused to express regret about the disparaging remarks he made against a community at a public meeting four years ago.
“The law is the law”: Union Minister S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) on Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification as an MP.“Rahul Gandhi had an opportunity of rectifying the situation, of expressing regret. He chose not to do so,” he adds
Watch #News18RisingIndia LIVE | @Zakka_Jacob pic.twitter.com/ODh4GEiVKf
— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 29, 2023
“The law is the law, unless somebody thinks that the law is not for them,” Jaishankar said.
The minister replied in the negative to a question whether any of his diplomatic counterparts had raised the issue with him. “Four years ago Rahul Gandhi was disparaging of a community in a public meeting. It is on public record. A member of that community took offense and began legal proceedings,” Jaishankar said, on how he would explain the issue to his counterparts abroad.
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